04 Feb This Is Your Essential Guide To Essential Oils For Skincare

When it comes to wellness, essential oils reign supreme. Touted as being a natural remedy for all sorts of ailments, a wide plethora of different plant-derived oils exist for seemingly every affliction. And inevitably, their role in skincare has grown to become prevalent, especially for those who are seeking an alternative from chemical-laden products on pharmacy shelves.

Source: Hello Glow

But where do you start with essential oils for skincare? Often revered for their many bold claims, how can you separate fact from fiction? Let us break it down for you with a quick list of do’s and don’ts when shopping for essential oils:

1. To start with, it is important to remember that you should never use essential oils right out of the bottle. Concentrated amounts of
essential oils contain high amounts of naturally occurring irritants that could lead to inflammation, itching, and even rashes on your skin.

2. When shopping for essential oils, make a point to read the list of ingredients to determine if the oil are all-natural. Oils which contain extra
additives could trigger a potential allergic reaction.

Source: ASOS

3. Always dilute your essential oils with a carrier oil.

Also known as ‘base oils’, these oils are meant to be safe for direct application onto the skin, and can ‘carry’ your essential oils to prevent them from causing potential irritation.

Your carrier oil should ideally be 100% natural and free from additives. Rosehip and argan oils come highly recommended for their neutral scent and ease of absorption. Common dilution guidelines are as follows:

• 0.5 to 1 percent dilution: 3 to 6 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
• 2.5 percent dilution: 15 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil
• 3 percent dilution: 20 drops essential oil per 6 teaspoons carrier oil

4. Steer clear of essential oils that have a strong natural scent on your skin

Natural essential oils such as  mint or lavender may smell incredible, but can be potentially harmful to sensitive skin types. The scent of these oils are derived from naturally-occurring compounds that can lead to irritation.

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs

5. Most essential oils have a shelf-life of about 3 years

If you have essential oils that are older than that, do NOT use them and throw them out immediately. The use of expired essential oils can lead to break outs and allergic reactions in the skin.

6. Buy only from reputable sources

Always be sure that you’re buying your essential oils from reputable sellers. Avoid shopping from direct-marketing companies that often use marketing buzzwords such as ‘all-natural’ or ‘therapeutic grade’.

These terms are not regulated by any official medical body and do not mean that their oils are safe to consume right out of the bottle.

7. Never use essential oils on injured skin.

Whether if you have lesions, open sores or small cuts, using essential oils on damaged skin can lead to infection or blisters in severe circumstances.

Best essential oils for skincare 

Source: Hunker

Now that you have the basics covered, here are some essential oil recommendations for common skin concerns. As always, dilute your oils first and conduct a patch test on your arm before applying it directly onto your face.

1. Tea tree oil

Source: Celestial Body

A well-established natural ingredient used in many commercial acne-fighting skincare products, diluted amounts of tea tree oil can help combat bacterial infection that can lead to the formation of pustules, owing to its antiseptic qualities. It’s also able to reduce inflammation caused by acne, thus reducing the appearance of redness in the skin.

2. Carrot seed oil 

Source: Flower Essence Society

A little less common, cold pressed carrot seed oil is rich in antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. When used in a diluted mixture, this mixture can help diminish the appearance of acne scars and fine wrinkles. But bear in mind, carrot seed oil and carrot oil are not the same!

3. Neroli oil

Source: The Parfumerie

If you’re prone to greasy skin, then neroli oil may just do the trick to help control the production of sebum in your pores. Being both antibacterial and antiseptic, neroli is great for alleviating mild symptoms of acne breakouts. Use sparingly, though!

4. Patchouli oil

Source: BioLib

Through a number of different studies, it has been found that patchouli oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce redness and swelling. Some anecdotal evidence (derived from personal testimonies) have also shown that patchouli oil can treat cracked or dehydrated skin.

5. Jojoba oil 

Source: Native Bliss

Ideal for dry to dehydrated complexions, jojoba oil’s nourishing components help moisturise the skin and replenish it’s natural moisture barrier. This helps prevent a loss of hydration throughout the day.

Also read: These Are The Skincare Ingredients You Need In 2021!